Transparency: any verdict?

I went through all the other threads (mostly old with no updates) and was wondering if anyone has found a final fix for the problem? I've been working on our trees/bushes/etc for TSRR and found the only real work-around is in how you design the objects. For instance in the RW demo and in Tribes 2, the transparency textures (foilage) are kept high up on branches and out of noticable view, most aren't overlaying each other. This presents a problem for us creating low-poly, yet believable trees for TSRR. The pines I've made in Milkshape (using cone shapes layered) make me look like I've been hitting the sauce too often when they render ingame. ;) So is Mark Rose's suggestion the only fix? Or has someone else found or improved it? (Ken?) Thanks in advance for any insight. :)